Facile synthesis of visible-light-induced mesoporous Ag2O/Fe2(MoO4)3 photocatalysts for degradation of tetracycline

Abstract

Herein, a novel green procedure design, based on a simple sol-gel route with the occurrence of nonionic surfactant, was performed to obtain mesoporous Ag 2 O/Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 nanocomposites for tetracycline (TC) photodegradation through visible-light illumination. The obtained Ag 2 O/Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 possesses a 2D mesoporous providing a larger surface area than the bulk material traditionally prepared. Ag 2 O NPs with a particle size of 3 nm are uniformly dispersed in spherical shape onto mesoporous Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 surface. The photocatalytic performance over 1.5% Ag 2 O/Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 nanocomposite was achieved about 100% with 9.48 μmolg −1 min −1 degradation rate due to its intense harvest in the wide visible range, large surface area and synergistic characteristic between Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 and Ag 2 O NPs. In addition, the rate constant value of 1.5% Ag 2 O/Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 nanocomposite was enhanced 13.4 and 8.5 larger than that P-25 and Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 for degradation of TC. The possible mechanism over Ag 2 O/Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 for photodegradation of TC was also addressed. Moreover, the prepared Ag 2 O/Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 exhibited excellent stability and superior recyclability. • Mesoporous Ag 2 O/Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 was synthesized by a simple sol-gel route. • The photocatalytic efficiency over 1.5% Ag 2 O/Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 nanocomposite was ~100%. • 1.5% Ag 2 O/Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 nanocomposite was enhanced 8.5 larger than that Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3. • Ag 2 O/Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 exhibited high stability and durability for five cycles.